Introducing Elli Hester of Leitchfield, the 2025 recipient of the $500 Nancy and Ken Robinson Scholarship sponsored by the Grayson County Historical Society. Elli’s essay was one of five submitted this year for consideration. 

Applicants were offered a choice of two topics for their essay: a written interview with a family who has served or is currently serving in the military or write about folklore concerning one of your Grayson County family members. Elli wrote a rather interesting essay about her dad prospecting for gold and segued into the story of Dock Brown, the county’s most infamous outlaw and how he hid his plunder in the hills around Pine Knob. 

Historical Society board member Shannon Harp recognized Elli at the GCHS Senior Awards Night on May 4th and board President Scotty Gore will present her with the scholarship check at the Historical Society’s June 21st General Meeting at the Clarkson Community Center. Elli will also be featured in this month’s edition of the Historical Society’s newsletter, The Graysonite.

Here is a little about Elli in her own words:
“Hi! My name is Elli Hester, and I’m incredibly thankful to be a recipient of this scholarship. I recently graduated from Grayson County High School and Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, where I earned my associate degree in interdisciplinary studies from Western Kentucky University. I’ve lived in Grayson County my whole life, and it’s always been home to me. This fall, I’m excited to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville to study aerospace engineering.”

Congratulations Elli and we wish you well in your career endeavors!